The star, who plays heroine Katniss Everdeen, defied the cold weather in a sparkling white gown with a low-cut back and embroidered with black flowers, and wore her short blonde hair slicked back under a hairband.

"It's amazing to see so many fans here. Someone gave me a photo of a Shetland pony to sign. I don't know what it means but it's still making me laugh now," Lawrence told the crowd.

The 24-year-old was joined on the red carpet by her co-stars Josh Hutcherson, who plays Peeta Mellark, and Liam Hemsworth, who plays Gale Hawthorn.

Julianne Moore, who makes her Hunger Games debut in the film, said: "My daughter was reading the books and I read them along with her and said 'These are amazing'."

She described Lawrence as "very talented and a real joy to work with".